Tobacco curing stick



March 13, 1956 R. B. PARRlsH 2,738,213

TOBACCO CURING STICK Filed Sept. 12, 1952 2 SheetsjrSheet l 3/ "EAT-isili!!! www j/ INVENTOR. Roa-1er s. @42e/6H,

March 13, 1956 R B PARRlsH 2,738,213

TOBACCO CURING STICK Filed Sept. 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O TOBACCO CURING STICK Robert B. Parrish, Kenbridge, Va.

Application September 12, 1952, Serial No. 309,257

9 Claims. (Cl. 294-55) This invention relates to tobacco curing sticks and more particularly to a curing stick arranged to quickly engage and release tobacco leaves or plants.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved tobacco curing stick for supporting tobacco leaves or plants in a tobacco curing barn which stick is of iireproof, decay proof and warp proof construction; which facilitates the drying and curing of the butts or stems of the leaves or plants supported by the stick; which includes separable parts and quick detachable means securing the parts together, so that the sticks can be rapidly loaded and unloaded; which has resilient means engaging the tobacco stems, so that the stems are firmly held in the stick, but are not cut or broken when the two parts of the stick are clamped together to secure the tobacco stem therein; which eliminates the necessity for thread or cord to secure the tobacco leaves or plants to the sticks; which suspends the leaves or plants in spaced apart relationship to each other to facilitate the rapid and proper curing of the tobacco; which is of light weight construction and easy to handle; and which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and effective and efllcient in use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective View of a tobacco curing stick illustrative of the invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse cross sectional view on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View;

.Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view rotated clockwise one hundred-eighty degrees about the longitudinal axis from theposition of the device shown in Figures l and 2 and with a portion of the stick broken away and shown in cross section to illustrate the internal construction thereof;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a somewhat modified form of tobacco curing stick with a portion broken away and shown in cross section to better illustrate the construction thereof;

Figure 6 is a transverse cross sectional View on the line '6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view on the line 77 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a top plan View of a still further modified form of tobacco curing stick;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross sectional view on the line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure l0 is a transverse cross sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line 10-10 of Figure 8; and

Figure 1l is a transverse cross sectional view of a still further modified form of tobacco curing stick.

With'continued reference to the drawings and particularly to the form of the invention shown in Figures l to'4 inclusive, the tobacco curing stick illustrated in these Afigures comprises an elongated tubular body 10 lonice gitudinally divided into two completely separate and mutually opposed body parts 11 and 12. The parts 11 and 12 are of channel cross sectional shape and the part 11 has a flat web 13 and flanges 14 and 15 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the web in the same direction and along the respectively opposite side edges of the web. At their outer edges the flanges 14 and 15 are folded over or rolled, as indicated at 16 and 17 to provide rounded outer edges of double thickness on the llanges. The part 12 has a web 18 and flanges 19 and 20 projecting perpendicularly in the same direction as the web 18 along the respectively opposite side edges of the latter and at their outer edges these flanges 19 and 20 are also folded over or rolled, as indicated at 21 and 22, to provide rounded outer edges of double thickness on the flanges 19 and 20. The flanges on body parts 11 and 12 constitute jaw members as will later appear.

The channel shaped parts 11 and 12 have their open sides mutually opposed and facing each other, so that the outer edges of the flanges of these parts are opposed to each other and spaced apart.

The parts 11 and 12 are preferably formed of a suitable sheet metal, such as sheet steel or aluminum, and an elongated strip 23 of sheet metal extends longitudinally of the part 12 interiorly of this part. The strip 23 includes an elongated, straight edged flange portion 24 disposed in the rolled over outer edge portion of the flange 20 and secured to this flange, and has at the proximal edge of the flange 24 an angular bend 25 which is disposed in the angle betwen the flange 20 and the web 1S and bears against the inner surface of the web 18. The strip 23 is provided at the side of the bend 25 remote from the flange 24 with a flat portion 26 which is divided by transversely extending cuts or slots 27 into a series of flat spring fingers 28 disposed in side by side relationship to each other and extending from one end to the other end of the body part 12. The fingers 28 eX- tend from a location adjacent the proximal edge of the flange 20 of the part 12 outwardly of the distal edge of the flange 19 in spaced relationship to the distaledge of the flange and are angularly offset at their distal ends, as indicated at 29, to a direction more directly away from the distal edge of the flange 19. The fingers 28 constitute a resilient clamp which cooperates with the jaw members formed by the flanges on the body parts 11 and 12.

The distal edge of the flange 14 of the body 11 is disposed adjacent the distal end of the spring fingers 28, and this edge 16 is provided with a series of flat, rounded notches 30 disposed one opposite the distal end of each spring nger 2S.

Flat, resilient hooks, as indicated at 31, are secured to the body part 12, one at each end of this body part, and pro-ject perpendicularly from the inner side of the web 18 of this body part, one at each end of the latter. The hooks 31 have outwardly facing hook formations, as indicated at 32, and the body part 11 is provided at each end of its web 13 with perpendicularly extending hook formations, as indicated at 33, having inwardly facing hook portions spaced from the inner surface of the web 13 and is engageable with the hook portions 32 of the hooks 31 to releasably lock the parts 11 and 12 together in coextensive and mutually opposed relationship with the open sides of these parts mutually opposed or facing each other.

The curing stick 10 is loaded by first separating the parts 11 and 12 and placing the part 11 with its open side up on a horizontal supporting surface, such as a table or bench. Tobacco leaves are then arranged with the butt end portions of the stems extending across the open side of the part 11 with at least one stem disposed in each of the notches 30 and with the leaves extending from the side of the part 11 remote'from the side having the 3 notches thin. After a sufficient quantity of leaves have been laid on the body part 11 the body part 12 with its open side down and with the distal ends of the fiat spring fingers 28 adjacent the notched edge of the part '11, is placed over the part 11 an'd the distal ends of the spring fingers are brought into engagement with the leaf stems disposed in the notches 30 of 'the part 1v1. The two parts 11 and 12 are then forced together by pressing the part 12 downwardly Vtoward vth'e part 11 un'til the interengaging, resilient hooks at the lopposite ends of the stick interengages to secure the two parts of the stick together with the butt end portions of the stems of the tobacco leaves compressed therebetween and all ofthe leaves projecting from the same side of the stick. The sticks with the associated tobacco leaves may then be raised to a position such that 'the leaves yare suspended from the stick and the stick moved in this position to its location in a tobacco curing barn. ltwill thus be seen that the flanges on body parts 11 and 12 are jaw members which coact with the resilient clamp, `fingers 28, to hold the leaves of tobacco as the body parts are secured together by the interengaging hook means.

The pressure of the spring fingers 28 on the leaf stems is light, so that the stems are not cut or broken by the stick, but with the spring lingers inclined upwardly and from a location spaced from the leaf stems toward the stems and engaging the stems at the upper side of the stick, the downward pull incident to the weight of the leaves causes the 4springs to more firmly engage the leaf stems and secure the leaves in the stick against any possibility of the leaves accidentally falling from the curing stick.

With a self-locking stick, as described above, it Ais not necessary to secure the tobacco leaves to the stick by thread or cord, as is usually done vat present, and because of its all-metal construction, the stick is fireproof and will not warp, decay or break. Also, because of its allmetal construction this stick provides for a better conduction of heat through the portion of the leaf stem engaged by the stick and results in improved curing or drying of the stems and, as it supports the leaves in a loosely bunched or slightly separated condition, it greatly facilitates and expedites the curing of the tobacco leaves suspended by the stick.

The tobacco curing stick illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 is substantially the same as that illustrated in Figures l to 4 inclusive, and described above, except that the tubular body of the modified form is of substantially cylindrical shape instead of being square or rectangular in cross section, as is the body 10, and is ,longitudinally and medially divided into two parts 36 and 37 of substantially semicylindrical shape. The body part 36 has its edges vinwardly folded over, as indicated at 38 and 39, to provide rounded edges of double thickness, and the edge 38 is provided with spaced apart, rounded notches 40 corresponding to the notches 30 in the previously described form of the device. The rolled edges of parts 36 and 37 will constitute jaw members.

The part 37 is provided with resilient hooks, as indicated at 41, disposed one at each end of the body part 37 and project outwardly from the open side of this body part. The resilient hook formations 41 have outwardly facing hook portions 42 on their distal ends, and the body part 36 is provided at its opposite ends with inwardly facing hook parts 43 which interengage with the corresponding hook parts 42 to releasably lock the body parts 36 and 37 together in coextensive relationship with their open sides mutually opposed and spaced apart.

A strip 45 of resilient sheet material is disposed within the body part 37 and has along one edge a flange 46 secured to the body Ypart 37 adjacent the normally lower rolled edge 47 of this body part by suitable means, such as `the rivets Y48. At the proximal edge ofthe fiange`46 .Y the strip 45 has 'an angular bend 49 and includes a flat 4 portion extending from this bend and divided by transversely extending slots into a series of fiat spring fingers 50, constituting a resilient clamp to cooperate with the jaw members provided by the rolled edges of parts 36 and 37, disposed in side by side relationship and extending from one end to the other of the body part 37. The fingers 50 extend from the proximal edge of the ange 46 outwardly of the rolled edge 51 of the body part 37 and toward the rolled upper edge 38 of the body part 36 when the two body parts are secured together in operative relationship, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. At their distal ends the fingers 50 are provided with angularly disposed end portions 52 which are inclined toward the sides of the corresponding fingers remote from the edges 38 and 51 of the parts of the tubular body.

The stick 35 is loaded in the Sallie manner as the stick 1), and functions similarly to secure the butt end portions of the tobacco leaf stems therein.

The further modified arrangement illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and l0 is arranged to suspend bunches of tobacco leaves rather than single leaves. This form of the invention also comprises an elongated tubular stick, as generally indicated at 55, longitudinally divided into two parts S6 and 57, of channel cross sectional shape similar 'to the parts v11 and 12 of the body 10, except that the notches 30 in the body y10 are omitted.

The body part 56 has a flat web 58 and iianges 59 and 60 extending perpendicularly from the web 58 along the longitudinal edges of the flatter and provided at their distal ends with rolled edge formations 61 and 62 respectively of double thickness. The body part 57 has a fiat web '63 and flanges 64 and 65 extending perpendicularly Ifrom the web 63 one along each longitudinal edge of the latter, and these flanges are provided along their distal edges with rolled edge formations 66 and 67 of double thickness. The flanges on parts 56 and 57 are in effect ja'w members in the same members as the flanges on parts 11 and 12.

The two parts 56 and 57 are secured together in coextensive relationship with their open sides mutually opposed and spaced apart by resilient hooks 68 and 69 extending from the part 57, one at each end of this part, and engaging with complementary hook formations carried by the part 56, one at each end of the latter.

In this arrangement, the resilient clamp means for gripping the tobacco leaf stems and firmly securing the stems in the stick comprises a plurality of angle brackets 70 disposed at the inner side of the web 58 of the part 56 and secured to this web at uniformly spaced apart locations therealong. Each angle bracket has one leg 71 disposed against and secured to the web 58 and a second leg 7-2projecting perpendicularly outwardly from the web 58 with its width extending transversely of the web and each bracket 'leg 72 is provided near its outer or distal end with an aperture 73. An elongated flexible element 74, such -as a wire or small metal cable, extends through the apertures 73 in the several bracket legs 72 and has Vits end disposed between the end brackets and the adjacent ends of the body part 56.

A vcoiled tension spring is secured at one end in one end of the wire or cable 74 and is secured at its other end to the adjacent end of the body part 56, while a similar tension spring'76 lis secured at one end to the yother end of the wire or cable 74, and at its other end to the other end of the body part 56. These springs 75 and 76 are vunder initial tension, so that the strand or flexible element 74 is stretched between the springs.

With this arrangement, the stick is loaded by placing the stem ends of hunched tobacco leaves on the part 56 while this 'part is supported on a horizontal supporting surface with its open side facing upwardly and the `part 57 with its open -side facing downwardly is then placed over the .part .56 and secured thereto by the hooks 68 and 69. Pressure exerted on theleaf stems by the strand 74 causes this strand 'to curve between adjacent angle brackets 71 and exert a compressive force on the tobacco leaf stems between the edges 65 and 66 of the body part 63, thereby iirmly securing the stems in the curing stick 55.

spring ngers 28 carried by the parts 12 compress tobacco leaf stems disposed between the parts 12 and the corre` sponding parts-11 in the manner described above in connection with the stick 10. j

The double sack shown in Figure 11 is wider than the' stick 10, shown in Figures l to 4 inclusive, and will carry two rows of tobacco leaves suspended therefrom instead of the single row carried by the stick 10. The double stick may be used Where the Weight of the leaves is not excessive and will greatly facilitate the loading and hanging. of the sticks and the subsequent unloading of the sticks when the leaves have been cured.

The invention may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the Spirit or essential characteristics thereof.- The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, Vand all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended-to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A tobacco stick for carrying tobacco leaves comprising a pair of completely separable elongated body parts, each of said parts having spaced flanges extending laterally outwardly from opposite longitudinal edges and to one side thereof to define jaw members, interengageable means carried by said body parts adjacent the ends thereof for releasably securing the body parts together in coextensive relation with said jaw members in mutually opposed relation to clamp stems of tobacco leaves therebetween at spaced locations on the stems, and resilient means carried by one of said body parts and extending toward the other of said body parts cooperating with said jaw members to resiliently engage and hold the stems at a location between the locations at which the stems are engaged by said spaced jaw members.

2. A tobacco stick for carrying tobacco leaves comprising a pair of completely separable elongated body parts, each of said parts having spaced flanges extending laterally outwardly from opposite longitudinal edges and to one side thereof to define jaw members, interengageable means-carried by said body parts adjacent the ends thereof for releasably securing the body parts together in coextensive relation with said jaw members in mutually opposed relation to clamp stems of tobacco leaves therebetween at spaced locations on the stems, and a series of spring iingers carried by one of said body members and arranged longitudinally thereof to extend toward the other of said body members and cooperating with the jaw members to engage and hold the stems of tobacco leaves at a location between the locations at which the stems are engaged by said spaced jaw members.

3. A tobacco stick for carrying tobacco leaves comprising a pairof completely separable elongated body parts, each of said parts having spaced flanges extending laterally outwardly from opposite longitudinal edges and to one side thereof to define jaw members, interengageable means carried by said body parts adjacent the ends thereof for releasably securing the body parts together in coextensive relation with said jaw members in mutually opposed relation to clamp stems of tobacco leaves therebetween at spaced locations on the stems, and resilient meansvcarried by one of said body parts land extending parts, each of said parts having spaced lianges extending laterally outwardly from opposite longitudinal edges and to one side thereof to define jaw members, interengageable means carried by said body parts adjacent the ends thereof for releasably securing the body parts together in coextensive relation with said jaw members in mutually opposed relation to clamp stems of tobacco leaves there- *between at spaced locations on the stems, and a series of spring lingers carried by one of said body members and arranged longitudinally thereof to extend toward the other of said body members and cooperating with the jaw members to engage and hold the stems of tobacco leaves at a location between the locations at which the stems are engaged by said spaced jaw members, a jaw member on the other of said body parts having a series of shallow notches therein opening through the free end thereof for receiving therein the stem portions of the tobacco leaves held between said jaw members and engaged by said resilient spring fingers.V

5. A tobacco carrying stick comprising an elongated body parts of channel shaped cross section, each of said parts having a web and substantially parallel flanges delining jaw members and disposed in coextensive relation with their open sides mutually opposed, a series of flat spring fingers secured in and extending longitudinally of one of said body parts with theindividual fingers extending from the proximal edge of one of said jaw members thereof outwardly of the distal edge of the other jaw member of said one body part, the other body part having a 'series of notches in the distal edge of the jaw member thereof adjacent said other jaw member of said one body part to receive tobacco stems therein, and interengaging hook formations on said parts at the ends thereof releasably securing said body parts together in their coextensive, mutually opposed relationship to clamp the stems of tobacco leaves or plants between said jaw members and said spring fingers cooperating with said jaw members to engage and hold the stems between said body parts.

6. A tobacco stick for carrying tobacco leaves comprising a pair of `completely separable elongated body parts, each of said parts having spaced lianges extending laterally outwardly from opposite longitudinal edges and to one side thereof to define jaw members, interengageable means carried by said body parts adjacent the ends thereof for releasably securing the body parts together in coextensive relation with said jaw members in mutually opposed relation to clamp stems of tobacco leaves therebetween at spaced locations on the stems, and resilient means carried by one of said body parts and extending toward the other of said body parts cooperating with said jaw members to resiliently engage and hold the stems at a location between the locations at which the stems are engaged by said spaced jaw members, said resilient means comprising at least one strip'of sheet material disposed in said one body part and secured along one edge of said one body part adjacent one edge of the latter, said strip being transversely inclined outwardly of the other edge of said one body part and being divided by slots extending transversely inwardly from the other edge of ysaid strip of sheet material into a series of at spring fingers.

7. A tobacco curing stick comprising at least one pair 7 of completely separable elongated body parts,` each body 'part havingits opposite longitudinal edges disposed in leaf stems at a location between the locations on the stems clamped by said jaw members.

8. A tobacco curing stick comprising at 'least one pair of completely separable elongated body parts, each body part having its opposite longitudinal edges disposed in a common plane lying transversely and outwardly of one side of the body part, said longitudinal edgesof each body part arranged in opposed spaced coext'ensive relation to define spaced jaw members 'for clamping the stems of tobacco leaves therebetween, 'interengageable means carried by said body parts for securing them together with said jaw members in their opposed coextensive relation, and resilient clamp means carried by one of said body parts intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof and extending toward lthe other body part and cooperating with said jaw members to engage and hold the tobacco leaf stems at a location between the locations on the stems clamped by saidjaw members, said resilient means comprising angle brackets 'secured in said one body part at spaced apart locations vth'erealong, each of said brackets having an aperture 'therein spaced from said one body part, a flexible strand extending longitu- -dinally of said one body part through said apertures, and tension :springs connected between vthe ends of said 'strand and the adjacent ends of 'said one body part.

9. A tobacco curing stick comprising at least one pair of completely separable elongated body parts, each body part having its opposite longitudinal edges disposed in a common plane lying transversely and outwardly of one Side of the body part, said longitudinal edges of each body part arranged in opposed spaced coextensive relation to define spaced jaw members for'clamping the stems of tobacco leaves therebetween, interengageable means carried by said body parts for securing them together with said jaw members in their opposed coextensive relation, and resilient clamp means carried by one of said body parts intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof and extending toward the other 'body part Vand cooperating with said jaw members to engage and hold the tobacco leaf stems at a location between the locations on the vstems clamped by said jaw members, said body parts comprising members of substantially semicylindrical shape having their longitudinal edges rounded.

References Cited in the lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

